AAA Texas: The Key to Saving Money is to Save Gas; Conserving Two Gallons Can Make a Difference
HOUSTON--April 25, 2006--E-mail inboxes have been filling with forwarded messages encouraging motorists to boycott certain brands of gasoline as a response to rising gas prices. The messages claim that a consumer backlash against oil producers will force them to lower pump prices. But a reduction of miles driven has proven to be a more effective way of saving money and can help prices drop, according to the AAA Texas.Statewide, the average price of regular self-serve is $2.897 per gallon, 6.7 cents below the all-time record high of $2.964 set on September 4, 2005 following Hurricane Katrina, and 77.6 cents higher than last year's average.
"We've seen boycotts encouraged in the past and they have not been successful in moving prices lower," said AAA Texas spokesperson Rose Rougeau. "Our prices are high for a variety of reasons. It is not due to a shortage of gasoline."
The average vehicle achieves 22 miles per gallon. A savings of two gallons per week means 44 fewer miles driven weekly. There are about 15 million licensed drivers in Texas. If 50% of all Texas motorists conserved at least 2 gallons per week, fuel consumption in the state would be reduced considerably.
In recent years, 2002-2005, gasoline prices peaked in March and April. New record high prices were set in each of those seasonal peaks. When record highs were achieved, consumer demand for gas dropped off and prices began to decline.
In addition to supply and demand imbalance, gas prices are rising because of uncertainty about supplies later this summer and because crude oil prices are at an all-time record high of more than $70 per barrel.
The AAA Texas recommends the following steps to save on gas:
-- Ride Share. You can reduce miles and cut your fuel expenses by up to 50 percent by sharing commuting expenses with one other person.
-- Plan ahead. Make a list of everywhere you need to go and arrange your route in a circle to save miles.
-- Use an efficient vehicle. Two-car families can save money by using the one vehicle that gets the best fuel efficiency.
-- Check your tire pressure. Under-inflated tires can cut fuel economy by up to 2 percent per pound of pressure below the recommended level.
-- Slow down, accelerate and brake gently and anticipate driving conditions. By going easy on the gas pedal and brake, you can change your ride from a jerky one to a smooth one. That can add up to 15 percent improvement in fuel efficiency.
-- Clean the junk out of the trunk. Some people carry hundreds of pounds of unnecessary items in their trunk. The more weight the car carries, the harder the engine has to work and the fewer miles per gallon you will get.
-- Shop aggressively for the lowest prices. You can save by paying attention to the prices of stations along your route. But don't go too far out of your way to save a few cents on gasoline, because you'll waste more money than you save. Shopping around encourages retailers to be more competitive.
Credit cards that offer rewards points can help save money. AAA Platinum Visa provides a rebate of up to 5 percent on gasoline purchases made at the pump.
Average Daily Prices as of 12:01 AM, April 25, 2006
Area Year-to-Year
4/25/06 Change 4/25/05 Record High
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National $2.919 +70.1 cents $2.218 $3.057 (9/5/05)
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State $2.897 +77.6 cents $2.121 $2.964 (9/4/05)
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Austin-
San Marcos $2.850 +73.4 cents $2.116 $2.918 (9/6/05)
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Beaumont $2.853 +77.5 cents $2.078 $2.930 (9/4/05)
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Corpus Christi $2.833 +77.5 cents $2.058 $2.929 (9/3/05)
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Dallas $2.960 +81.5 cents $2.149 $3.019 (9/4/05)
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Ft. Worth $2.955 +82.0 cents $2.135 $3.012 (9/4/05)
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Galveston-
Texas City $2.930 +82.2 cents $2.108 $2.997 (9/4/05)
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Houston $2.920 +82.1 cents $2.099 $2.971 (9/6/05)
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San Antonio $2.813 +73.3 cents $2.080 $2.909 (9/4/05)
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